Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge - Special Edition

aka: Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge
Moby ID: 47210
PlayStation 3 Specs
Buy on Windows
$3.49 new on Steam

Description official description

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge - Special Edition is a remake of Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge. After the events of The Secret of Monkey Island Guybrush came to fame but it is fading away. Now he is on the search for the famous treasure of Big Whoop. Unfortunately he is stuck on Scabb Island where Largo LaGrande, a former henchman of LeChuck, is in charge and steals all of Guybrush's riches... His first goal is to leave Scabb Island and later his search for Big Whoop gets more personal because an old enemy comes back to life...

Regarding gameplay the game doesn't change much in comparison to its predecessor: the player explores the environment, solves item-based puzzles and talks to a lot of people through multiple choice dialogues. The biggest part of the game is the search for a treasure map during which the player has to solve interconnected puzzles on three islands.

The three main new features of this Special Edition are the all-new graphics, full voice acting (this time also available while playing with the original graphics) and new controls similar to the coin control of The Curse of Monkey Island: when right clicking on an object all valid verbs pop up. Optionally the player can circle through the verbs to change the default command for the left mouse button. Of course he can always switch to the original version where he has the original SCUMM-Interface available with nine verbs at the bottom of the screen. To start an action the player has to choose one of these verbs and then click on an item in the game world or the inventory.

New players who are not familiar with the original game can use two features to make their life easier: a hint system and the possibility to lighten up all interactive elements on the screen. On the other hand the "easy" mode from the original game is not included. The optional in-game commentary by Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman can be activated during certain scenes of the game and gives background information about the development of the original game.

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Videos

See any errors or missing info for this game?

You can submit a correction, contribute trivia, add to a game group, add a related site or alternate title.

Credits (PlayStation 3 version)

286 People (260 developers, 26 thanks) · View all

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 88% (based on 51 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.9 out of 5 (based on 59 ratings with 3 reviews)

A classic Monkey Island game reborn

The Good
Guybrush Threepwood, mighty pirate, defeated the Ghost Pirate LeChuck in the last game using a bottle of root beer. Now he returns in this special edition of this classic Monkey Island game, trying to search for the legendary treasure of Big Whoop that will give him fame and fortune. But what's a MI game without LeChuck himself?

Everything in the special edition of the first game is already included here. The hand-drawn graphics are as good as they were back in the early '90s, with amazing locations on both Phatt and Booty Islands. The music in the game is recorded using live instruments, which gives it more of a reggae feel to it. It is easy to memorize each turn in the game. The actors that voice the characters in future Monkey Island games make a re-appearance here. Just hearing most of the dialogue is hilarious. Such situations include Guybrush begging the Men of Low Moral Fiber for the bucket and sawing one of their peg legs off.

But what I like most about the special edition is switching to the classic mode every now and again, not just for nostalgia's sake, but for immediate access to the verbs/inventory for time-based puzzles such as closing the coffin on Stan and nailing it shut. You even have the opportunity to include the voiceovers in the classic mode. Now you can find out what Monkey Island 2 would have been like if it was released on CD-ROM in the early '90s.

The interface is similar to that of Curse of Monkey Island: right-clicking the mouse button will bring up the verb menu, with a nice animation of a compass pointing to your selection. The audio commentary delves into the making of the game, spoken by the game's original creators. If it is available, it will tell you which button to press near the top of the screen, but you can turn it off in the options menu.

The built-in hint system is ideal for players who are new to the Monkey Island series and get stuck in the game and want to know what to do next. Using this feature is much better than printing out a walkthrough for the game. (Besides, you can get lost reading walkthroughs.) At some points in the game, concept artwork is unlocked. given the player a behind-the-scenes look at the game, from initial drawings to deleted scenes. Players can earn achievements by completing certain tasks such as completing a section of the game and switching to the classic mode at least once.

The Bad
The memorable thing about the original Monkey Island 2 was the dancing monkeys that are shown during the opening credits. Sadly, there are no dancing monkeys in the special edition which means that there are no opening credits. It just cuts to Scabb Island. Maybe most of the achievements are too easy to obtain also.

The Bottom Line
Monkey Island 2 was always my favorite Monkey Island game, with its breathtaking graphics, excellent sound, and its humor; and this special edition doesn't disappoint. It is similar to the special edition of the first game, but more features are introduced such as achievements, concept art, and classic mode voice acting. It's too bad that there are no opening credits. In conclusion, though, Monkey Island 2 Special Edition is much better; and anyone who played the original game should grab a copy of this.

Windows · by Katakis | カタキス (43092) · 2010

Monkeys, Magic and A Monkey Wrench

The Good
The Secret of Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge is one video game that every gamer should play. It is one of the best graphic adventure games made. It is one of the best sequel games made. It is one of the funniest games made. It is, simply put, one of the best video games ever made.

The Special Edition retains all that was great about the game, and finds ways to make it better. Better graphics, amazing voice actors, smooth and responsive game play mechanics and a nice selection of extras to keep dedicated fans of the series interested.

The sequel takes place months after the first game. Guybrush Threepwood has found his fame and fortune, and enjoys retelling how he saved a lovely lady and defeated a zombie pirate with what was, essentially, root beer soda. However, all is not well in the Caribbean.

LeChuck, the zombie pirate, is back and, as the title suggests, has some unfriendly plans for Mr. Threepwood. Guybrush finds himself broke, single and stuck on an anarchist island ruled by a bully named Largo LaGrande.

The only hope for Guybrush Threepwood is to locate the fabulous treasure known to pirates everywhere as Big Whoop.

Guybrush has to interact with a wide range of eccentric people and pick up various items, which are used to solve numerous adventure-style puzzles.

Solving inventory-based puzzles will bring Guybrush Threepwood closer to reuniting with his girlfriend, the Governor, cracking the Big Whoop mystery and, maybe, figure out how to put an end to LeChuck for good.

The Bad
I really cannot think of anything to complain about. I am upset that more Monkey Island games were not released for the Xbox 360. I really would have liked to see a Special Edition of Monkey Island 3 and 4.

I am not sure if Disney -- when it bought Lucasfilm -- put the kibosh on future Monkey Island Special Edition games, but it is a disappointment.

The Bottom Line
The Secret of Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge is everything that a sequel should be, and probably one of the best video games every made. New and old fans of the Monkey Island franchise should give this game a try.

Xbox 360 · by Edward TJ Brown (118) · 2018

A great game, an okay sequel

The Good
Note: I'm reviewing solely the remastered version of Monkey Island 2. All things to do with the original Monkey Island 2 will be ignored. As well as referring to the previous game, it will be the remastered version of Monkey Island 1.

It's a Monkey Island game. Which means you can expect great puzzles, humor, and exploring. Almost all features from the first Monkey Island are carried over into this sequel; with an addition of easier inventory access and object interaction. This time around, you simply have to right-click an item to interact with it, rather than having to press the key associated with it (T for Talk, P for Push, etc). The voice acting, music, and overall sound of the game is great. Each character has a distinct personality and really brings the whole world to life combined with it's great art direction. Some nice additions are also in-game audio developer commentary, unlockable concept art, the ability to switch back-and-forth between the old and new graphics, and a hint system to help you if you are stuck.

The Bad
Unfortunately, this game doesn't stand close to the first Monkey Island. The hilarious "insult sword fighting" from before is entirely gone which means there is really no particular fight in the game to be had. The game is simply too big, and too long. It's funny because during some bits of the developer commentary they even discuss these issues: whether it was a good idea for game to be so long compared to the first Monkey Island. Monkey Island 2 also over complicates the puzzles too much. For example, there is a bag hanging from a tree branch and you can only cut it with ONE particular object. So, if you have a knife, a saw, or a broken bottle, all which are capable of cutting, you can only use the broken bottle to cut the bag. This happens quite a few times during the game. There is much more backtracking than the first game. Depending on who you are, you either love that or hate it.

The Bottom Line
A great game, an okay sequel. A lot less memorable than the first Monkey Island across the board. In terms of characters, settings, and atmosphere, Monkey Island 2 falls just a bit short when trying to follow up a great, great first game. Nonetheless, a solid, and humorous adventure experience.

Windows · by yellowshirt (1583) · 2018

Trivia

German version

In the original translation, almost all German book titles in the library were written anew and re-ordered alphabetically. The reasons were both to adapt the humour and puns to German culture and to give hints for the, for Germans, harder to grasp puzzles (especially the infamous monkey wrench). In the new translation, there is no alphabetical order and all titles were translated literally.

Awards

  • 4Players
    • 2010 – Most Humorous Game of the Year
  • GameStar (Germany)
    • 2011 - Best Adventure in 2010 (Readers' Voting)

Analytics

MobyPro Early Access

Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!

Related Games

Monkey Island: Special Edition Bundle
Released 2010 on PlayStation 3, 2010 on Windows, 2011 on Xbox 360
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
Released 2009 on Windows, Xbox 360, 2010 on Macintosh...
The Curse of Monkey Island
Released 1999 on DOS, Windows
Tales of Monkey Island
Released 2009 on Windows, 2010 on Macintosh, PlayStation 3
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
Released 1991 on DOS, 1992 on Amiga, Macintosh...
Tales of Monkey Island: Chapter 2 - The Siege of Spinner Cay
Released 2009 on Windows, 2010 on Macintosh, PlayStation 3...
Escape from Monkey Island
Released 2000 on Windows, 2001 on PlayStation 2, Macintosh
The Secret of Monkey Island
Released 1992 on DOS, Macintosh, SEGA CD

Related Sites +

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 47210
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Patrick Bregger.

iPhone, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 added by VVP. Blacknut, iPad added by Sciere.

Additional contributors: Tythesly.

Game added July 13, 2010. Last modified March 16, 2024.